Stack-type inductor element and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A stack-type inductor element includes a stack including a magnetic element layer, a coil-shaped conductor pattern provided in the stack, a plurality of first pad electrodes provided on one main surface of the stack, and a plurality of second pad electrodes provided on the other main surface of the stack and symmetric to the plurality of first pad electrodes. The stack is rectangular or substantially rectangular when viewed in a direction of stack of the stack. A first end and a second end of the coil-shaped conductor pattern are electrically connected to two of the plurality of first pad electrodes, respectively, and the plurality of second pad electrodes are all electrically open.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A stack-type inductor element, comprising:
 a stack including a magnetic element layer and having a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape when viewed in a stacking direction of the stack; 
 a coil-shaped conductor pattern provided in the stack; 
 a plurality of first pad electrodes provided on a first main surface of the stack; and 
 a plurality of second pad electrodes provided on a second main surface of the stack and symmetric to the plurality of first pad electrodes; wherein 
 a first end and a second end of the coil-shaped conductor pattern is electrically connected to two of the plurality of first pad electrodes, respectively, and the plurality of second pad electrodes are all electrically open; and 
 the first and second main surfaces of the stack respectively define uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the ceramic laminate. 
 
     
     
       2. The stack-type inductor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the stack has a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the stacking direction of the stack and the plurality of first pad electrodes are arranged in two rows along a longitudinal direction of the stack. 
     
     
       3. The stack-type inductor element according to  claim 1 , wherein a number of the first pad electrodes is three or more and a pad electrode not connected to the coil-shaped conductor pattern of the plurality of first pad electrodes is electrically open. 
     
     
       4. The stack-type inductor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the stack includes non-magnetic element layers superimposed on opposing main surfaces of the magnetic element layer. 
     
     
       5. The stack-type inductor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the coil-shaped conductor pattern includes an axis of winding in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the main surface of the magnetic element layer. 
     
     
       6. The stack-type inductor element according to  claim 5 , wherein the stack has a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the stacking direction of the stack and the axis of winding is parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the rectangular shape. 
     
     
       7. The stack-type inductor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the coil-shaped conductor pattern is a coil antenna.